Method and equipment for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics

ABSTRACT

In a method and equipment for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics, which is obtained by conditioning low-metal scrap high in plastics, which originate at least in part from shredder processes of scrap vehicles, the method includes: isolating metal parts from the heavy fraction high in plastics; reducing the size of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics that remains after the isolation of the metal parts; splitting up of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics, that remains after the isolation of the metal parts, into fractions high in plastics having different grain sizes; conditioning the separated fractions high in plastics at least partially in separate processes. The equipment includes appropriate devices for carrying out the foregoing processes. A highly pure granulate fraction may be obtained, which may be fed to material utilization.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of PCT International PatentApplication No. PCT/EP2009/001699, filed on Mar. 10, 2009, which isexpressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

The present application claims priority to Application No. 10 2008 016417.8, filed in the Federal Republic of Germany on Mar. 31, 2008, and toApplication No. 10 2009 009 873.9, filed in the Federal Republic ofGermany on Feb. 20, 2009, each of which is expressly incorporated hereinin its entirety by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and equipment for conditioninga heavy fraction high in plastics. For example, the present inventionrelates to a method and equipment for refining a heavy fraction that hasbeen produced during the conditioning of low-metal material mixtureshigh in plastics, especially a heavy fraction high in plastics having anaverage bulk material weight of >0.3 t/m³.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A method for the conditioning of shredder residues is described, forexample, in European Published Patent Application No. 1 332 001. In themethod described there therein, in separate preprocessings, conditioningof a light shredder fraction and conditioning of a heavy shredderfraction take place. During the preprocessing of the conditioning of thelight shredder fraction, after isolating a foam fraction there takesplace a size reduction of the remaining fraction to form a discharge of<50 mm. A ferromagnetic fraction is separated from the reduced sizefraction. The remaining nonferromagnetic fraction is fed to a secondsize reduction process, in which an additional breaking down of thematerial takes place. From the material that has been well broken down,a sand fraction of <4 mm is separated in a subsequent method step. Theremaining fraction undergoes air sizing and density separation, and thusthe fraction is separated into a light fraction of lint and a heavyfraction. The heavy shredder fraction is submitted to a separation ofthe ferromagnetic components. There follows a size classification of theresidual flow and the segregation of the nonferrous metal-containingfraction. This may be accomplished in such a way that first a sizeclassification takes place into greater than and less than 20 mm, andthese fractions are separately fed to the metal separator. The mainpoint, in this context, is that as clean a substance separation aspossible takes place into a nonferrous metal-containing fraction and aremaining fraction that is low in metal. In a subsequent classificationthe segregation of a sand fraction takes place having a grain diameterless than 6 mm. The remaining coarse grain fraction that is low in metalis subsequently split up into a heavy fraction and a highly denseresidual fraction. In the subsequent main process, the heavy fractions(raw granulate) from the two preprocessings are combined. These combinedfractions are first broken down in an additional size reduction step.After the size reduction, there is a density separation and theisolation of a fraction consisting predominantly of plastic in agranulated form. The raw granulate present is then conditioned in anadditional refining process. In the refining process, there is first asurface purification using water, in an attrition process. In this case,dust that contains heavy metals and adheres to the surface is washed offand concentrated in a sludge fraction. The washed granulate is thendried. After this treatment step, an all-metal separator may optionallybe provided, which can separate out the last metal particles containedin the granulate, e.g., copper strands. The granulate thus pretreated issubmitted to an electrostatic charging of the granules by friction,which makes possible a PVC isolation, and a granulate fraction isobtained that is low in chlorine and metal, and is able to be fed tomaterial utilization.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments of the present invention provide a method andequipment, using which a heavy fraction low in metal, that has beenproduced during the conditioning of low-metal material mixtures high inplastics, is refined such that a highly pure end product is obtained formaterial utilization.

In the method according to an example embodiment of the presentinvention for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics (rawgranulate), which has been created in the conditioning of low-metalmaterial mixtures high in plastics substantially by isolating a lightplastic fraction (raw lint), at least the following processes areperformed one after the other: (a) isolating of metal parts stillpresent, especially such metal parts as were broken down during theconditioning of the low-metal material mixtures high in plastics; (b)reducing the size of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plasticsthat remains after the metal isolation; (c) splitting up themetal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics, remaining after the metalisolation, into several, e.g., three factions high in plastics, ofdifferent grain sizes; and (d) conditioning the separated fractions highin plastics in at least partially separate process steps.

Because of the splitting up of the heavy fraction high in plastics intoseveral fractions high in plastics, having different grain sizes, andtheir separate conditioning, a prerequisite is created for obtaininghighly pure end fractions at the end of the process, whereby, in turn,improved material utilization is made possible.

The conditioning of the separated fractions that are high in plasticsmay run at least partially in similar processes, which makes possible animproved process control.

The remaining fraction high in plastics may be split up into a firstfraction high in plastics, having a grain size in the range of about 0to 1.7 mm, e.g., having a grain size in the range of about 0 to 1.5 mm,a second fraction high in plastics, having a grain size of about 1.3 mmto 4.2 mm, e.g., in the range of about 1.5 mm to 4.0 mm, and a thirdfraction high in plastics, having a grain size of about 3.8 mm to 7.2mm, e.g., having a grain size of about 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm.

The splitting up of the remaining fraction high in plastics into threefractions high in plastics having different grain sizes is notabsolutely necessary. One may, for instance, also split up into two oreven four fractions high in plastics, then having somewhat differentgrain size ranges. However, splitting up into three fractions high inplastics (as mentioned above) is believed to be particularlyadvantageous.

The heavy fraction high in plastics, that is to be conditioned, onaverage may have a bulk material weight >0.2 t/m³, e.g., a bulk materialweight clearly more than 0.4 t/m³.

The separation of the metal parts may take place in two differentprocess steps. In the first process step, the ferromagnetic componentsof the low-metal fraction high in plastics are separated, and in thesecond process step, the non-ferromagnetic metal parts. This makespossible a more uniform isolation which, in turn, ensures an improvedraw material use of the individual metals.

As the method for isolating the non-ferromagnetic metal parts, eddycurrent separation may be used and also methods of sensitive metalseparation based on the electrical conductivity of the non-ferromagneticmetal parts. The latter method has the advantage that, besides brokendown ferromagnetic metal parts, high-grade steel, lead and non-brokendown metals are able to be separated. Besides that, the individualmetals may be separated separately from one another, and thus may be fedmore simply to material utilization.

It may be provided that, after the separating of the metal parts, aprocess step is provided for separating polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thatis high in chlorine, e.g., via the different absorbability of theindividual plastics of X-ray radiation.

After the process steps of separating metal parts or separatingpolyvinyl chloride, there follows the process step of reducing in sizethe metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics to a grain sizesmaller than, or equal to 8 mm, e.g., smaller than, or equal to 7 mm,this process step being the prerequisite for the separation of themetal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics into fractions ofdifferent grain size. A size reduction method is used in this context,which makes possible breaking down the metals not yet broken down whichare contained in the heavy fraction high in plastics at a percentageof >95%, e.g., >99%. The process of size reduction may also be appliedin several stages, such as two stages, in each case intermediatebuffering being possible. For instance, it is possible to carry out asize reduction to a grain size less than, or equal to 14 mm, e.g., lessthan, or equal to 12 mm, and subsequently (perhaps after intermediatebuffering) a second size reduction to a grain size less than, or equalto 8 mm, e.g., less than, or equal to 7 mm.

The method may include a process step for separating raw lint, e.g.,having an average bulk material weight of <0.3 t/m³, for example, <0.2t/m³, and/or wood particles.

The method may include the splitting up of the metal-reduced heavyfraction high in plastics by sifting, e.g., using at least three sievelayers having different sizes of hole. Sizes of hole or 7.0 mm, 4.0 mmand 1.5 mm may be used in this regard.

After the splitting up of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high inplastics, a process may take place of isolating the raw lint and/or woodparticles present for each of the fractions high in plastics ofdifferent grain or particle sizes created during the splitting up of thefraction high in plastics. In this case one may do without the isolationof the raw lint and the metal parts before splitting up the heavyfractions high in plastics.

During the conditioning of the separated fraction high in plastics, itmay be further provided that the separated fractions high in plastics,separately from each other, undergo a process of density separation,different end or intermediate products being created by the densityseparation as a function of the fractions high in plastics. Thus,because of the density separation of the fraction high in plastics,having a grain size in the range of about 0 mm to 1.5 mm, there iscreated, on the one hand, a plastic material that is to be ground, whichis, for example, processed further together with the raw lint createdduring the conditioning of the low-metal plastic scrap having an averagebulk material weight <0.2 t/m³. In addition, there is created a fractionincluding, at least for the most part, non-ferromagnetic metal parts.

During the density separation of the fraction high in plastics, having agrain size in the range of about 1.5 mm to 4.0 mm, there is created aprerefined granulate fraction as well as a non-ferromagnetic metalfraction, which in subsequent process steps may be split up into theirindividual metal types, e.g., by sifting. One part of the metal fractionthus split up is processed further with a metal fraction that is createdduring the density separation of the fraction high in plastics having agrain size of about 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm (also see below). The furtherprocessing in common may take place by optical sorting, in which thecommon metal fraction is split up into its individual metal types. Animpact treatment may be inserted before the optical sorting, so as toachieve the balling up of the copper strands. This makes possible anincrease in efficiency of the optical sorting.

Before the sifting, the non-ferromagnetic metal fractions, created bythe density separations in the range of about 1.5 mm to 7.0 mm, may befed to a segregation of ferromagnetic components, so as possibly to beable to separate, from the non-ferromagnetic metal fractions, stillpresent small section steel (e.g., fine metal wires) and thus increasetheir degree of purity. Thus, under certain circumstances, there maystill be a small proportion of small section steel in thenon-ferromagnetic metal fractions, of up to 5%.

As an intermediate product of the density separation of the fractionhigh in plastics having a grain size of about 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm, there isalso created a ferromagnetic metal fraction which is at least partiallyconditioned together with the metal fraction created during the densityseparation of the fraction high in plastics having a grain size in therange of about 1.5 mm to 4.0 mm. As a second intermediate product thereis created a prerefined granulate fraction, that is, for example,conditioned in common with the granulate fraction which is created bythe density separation of the fraction high in plastics having theaverage grain size.

During the conditioning, the granulate fractions, individually or incommon, are submitted to surface purification to remove dust and/oroperating fluids (especially fats and oils, which may have alreadypartially diffused into the plastics parts). For example, a processfollows the surface purification for isolating a polyvinyl chloridefraction (PVC), especially by wet density separation, as well as aprocess for separating polyolefins, especially by wet densityseparation. In a following process step, the rubber parts present may beremoved, or may at least be greatly reduced, from the granulatefraction, that has already been greatly refined, by electrostaticisolation. The granulate fraction thus refined, if necessary, may befurther reduced in size or ground up, if subsequent processes requireit.

The equipment, or system, according to an example embodiment of thepresent invention for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics(raw granulate), that was created during the conditioning of low-metalmaterial mixtures high in plastics, has devices using which one is ableto carry out these successive processes: (a) separating metal parts fromthe heavy fraction high in plastics, and obtaining a plastics fractionreduced in metal; (b) reducing the size of the metal-reduced heavyfraction high in plastics that remains after the separation of the metalparts; (c) splitting up the metal-reduced heavy fraction high inplastics, that remains after the separation of the metal parts, intoplastics fractions having different grain sizes; and (d) conditioningthe separated fractions high in plastics at least partially in differentprocesses.

Because of the splitting up of the heavy fraction high in plastics intoseveral fractions high in plastics, having different grain sizes, andtheir separate conditioning, a process prerequisite is created forobtaining highly pure end fractions at the end of the process, whereby,in turn, improved material utilization is made possible.

The device for splitting up the metal-reduced and size-reduced fractionhigh in plastics is provided such that a first fraction high inplastics, having a grain size in the range of about 0 to 1.7 mm, e.g.,having a grain size of about 0 to 1.5 mm, a second fraction high inplastics, having a grain size of about 1.3 mm to 4.2 mm, e.g., in therange of about 1.5 mm to 4.0 mm, and a third fraction high in plastics,having a grain size in the range of about 3.8 mm to 7.2 mm, e.g., havinga grain size of about 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm are obtained.

The heavy and low-metal fraction high in plastics (raw granulate), thatis to be conditioned, on average may have a bulk material weight >0.2t/m³, e.g., a bulk material weight clearly >0.4 t/m³.

The device for separating the metal parts from the heavy and low-metalfraction high in plastics may include a device for separatingferromagnetic components in a first method step, e.g., a magneticseparator, particularly a magnetic drum or an overband magnet device aswell as subsequently situated device for separating non-ferromagneticmetal parts, e.g., a device for eddy current segregation or forsensitive metal isolation based on the electrical conductivity of themetal parts.

Furthermore, it may be provided that a device for separating polyvinylchloride (PVC) that is high in chlorine, e.g., a separating device usingX-rays, be subsequently situated to the device for separating metalparts.

The device for reducing in size the metal-reduced fraction high inplastics may be provided such that the fraction high in plastics isreduced in size so that one is able to achieve breaking down non-brokendown metals, contained in the fraction, of >95%, e.g., 99%.

The device for reducing in size the metal-reduced fraction high inplastics may be provided such that reducing in size of the fraction highin plastics to a grain size less than, or equal to 8.0 mm, e.g., 7 mm,takes place.

After the device for reducing in size the metal-reduced fraction high inplastics, a device is provided for separating raw lint, especiallyhaving an average bulk material weight of <0.3 t/m³, e.g., a bulkmaterial weight of <0.2 t/m³. It is not absolutely necessary to arrangefor this arrangement at this point in the process sequence. There isalso the possibility of arranging it after the splitting up of themetal-reduced fraction high in plastics into fractions high in plasticsof different grain or particle size, separately for each of thefractions high in plastics obtained. For example, devices for airsifting are for separating raw lint.

A sifting device having at least three sieve layers of different sizesof hole may be provided as the device for separating the fractions highin plastics having different grain sizes.

After the splitting up of the metal-reduced fractions high in plasticsinto at least three fractions high in plastics of different grain sizes,or after running through the devices, possibly provided thereafter, forseparating the raw lint and/or the wood particles, e.g., by densityseparation, separate devices may be provided for density separation ofthe individual separated fractions high in plastics. The device fordensity separation of the first separated fraction high in plastics,which may have a grain size of about 0 mm to 1.5 mm, is provided suchthat a non-ferromagnetic metal fraction and material to be ground areobtained. The device for density separation of the second separatedfraction high in plastics, which may have a grain of about 1.5 mm to 4.0mm, and the device, separate from this, for density separation of thethird separated fraction high in plastics, e.g., having a grain size ofabout 4.0 mm to 7.0 mm are provided such that in each case anon-ferromagnetic metal fraction and a prerefined granulate fraction isobtained as the end product, the metal fractions obtained and thegranulate fractions obtained in each case being at least in partconditioned further in common.

A device for surface purification of the granulate fractions may bepostconnected to the devices for density separation of the second andthird fractions high in plastics. This device is arranged such that dustand/or operating fluids (especially fats and oils) sticking to theplastic particles are able to be removed. A device for separatingpolyvinyl chloride PVC) and after that, a device for separatingpolyolefins are postconnected in two stages to the device for surfacepurification, both device being, for example, provided as wet densityseparation devices. After the device for isolating polyolefins from theplastics fraction, a device is provided for separating rubber particlesfrom the acceptable quality fraction.

Using the equipment described herein, a plastics granulate is obtainedby conditioning a raw granulate that is produced by conditioning lowmetal waste high in plastics, which, based on its degree of purity, isable to be fed to a material utilization having high qualityrequirements.

Further features and aspects of example embodiments of the presentinvention are described in more detail below with reference to theappended Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of successive process steps forobtaining a light fraction high in plastics (raw lint) LF and a heavyfraction high in plastics (raw granulate) SF.

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart of successive process steps forconditioning the heavy fraction high in plastics (raw granulate) SFusing a detail process III and a detail process IV.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart which shows detail process III of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart which shows detail process IV of FIG.2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The schematic flow chart shown in FIG. 1 shows the process sequenceduring the conditioning of low-metal material mixtures KA that are highin plastics, for obtaining a heavy fraction SF high in plastics and alight fraction LF high in plastics which, for example, may bepostconnected to a shredder process of scrap vehicles.

Besides low-metal material mixtures high in plastics from a shredderprocess, other material mixtures high in plastics may also beconditioned with the aid of the method and equipment described herein.In the exploitation of scrap vehicles, metal-containing scrap isinitially broken down by a shredder in a, e.g., conventional,preconnected shredding process, by a size reduction process. A lightshredder fraction SLF capable of flying is subsequently isolated by asuction device. The heavy material stream, that is not capable offlying, which remains after the suction, is separated on a magneticseparator, into a ferromagnetic and a non-ferromagnetic fraction. Theferromagnetic fraction is designated as shredder scrap, and representsthe primary shredder product, which may be used directly in metallurgy.The remaining heavy non-ferromagnetic fraction is designated as heavyshredder fraction SSF.

The light shredder fraction SLF is conditioned further, by itself ortogether with the heavy shredder fraction SSF and perhaps withadditional low-metal plastic material mixtures, and is designated aslow-metal, high plastic scrap KA, when submitted to the process. Theselow-metal, high-plastic material mixtures have a metal proportion of<20%, e.g., a metal proportion of the order of magnitude of 5%.

One or more feed containers B1 and/or B2 are provided for the incomingsupply of the low-metal, high-plastics mixed materials, in order todecouple the conditioning process, from upstream processes such as theshredder process.

In a first method step V1, the ferromagnetic components FE areseparated, using a magnetic separator MA1, as a ferromagnetic fraction,which may then be fed to a metallurgical processing process, for thereutilization of the material. There then follows isolation V2 of afirst raw sand fraction RS1, using a sifting device SE1, which has asize of hole in the range of 10 to 12 mm in the exemplary embodiment.Because of the isolation of this raw sand fraction, the subsequentprocess steps are relieved with respect to the separated raw sandfraction. After method step V2 there is a process step V3, “segregationof non-ferromagnetic metal components” (non-ferromagnetic metalfraction), such as copper, brass, aluminum, etc. A device ME1 may beused for eddy current separation or for sensitive metal isolation basedon the electric conductivity of the metal parts. Subsequent process stepV4 of the isolation of coarse components substantially reduces the wearin the next process step V5 of the main size reduction. In process stepV4, for isolating coarse components (heavy material) SG, device ST forheavy material separation, so-called air knife systems, may be used.After the isolation of the heavy material SG, in process step V5, a sizereduction of the remaining fractions takes place, using a hammer millMH. The size reduction takes place, in this instance, in that the volumeof the light fraction (raw lint) LF contained in the remaining fractionsis increased, whereby in a later process step V7 an improved and purerfraction splitting up of the remaining fractions into a light fraction(raw lint) LF and a heavy fraction (raw granulate) SF is made possible.A device (WS) for air sifting is provided for splitting up the remainingfraction. The heavy fraction (raw granulate) SF created has an averagebulk material weight >0.2 t/m³, e.g., clearly >0.4 t/m³. Between processstep V5 of size reduction, e.g., at 20 mm, and process step V7 ofsplitting up the remaining fractions, a process step V6 is provided, inwhich a second raw sand fraction RS2 is separated using a sifting deviceSE2. The size of hole of sifting device SE2 is, for example, in a rangeof 4 to 8 mm.

During the refinement, whose sequence is described in detail in FIGS. 2to 4, the raw granulate SF (heavy fraction) thus produced, in a firstprocess step VG1, is submitted to the segregation of ferromagneticcomponents FE, which were broken down in process step V5 during the sizereduction. For this purpose, one may, for example, use a magneticseparator MA2, e.g., a magnetic drum or an overband magnetic device.This creates a metal-reduced fraction KF high in plastics, which stillhas a residual proportion of non-ferromagnetic metals NE and high-gradesteel components NES. The non-ferromagnetic metals NE are separated inthe next process step VG2, and so are high-grade steel components NES,depending on their type of conditioning. If, in this instance, a devicefor eddy current separation WA1 is used, in this process step VG2 thenon-ferromagnetic metals, such as copper, brass, aluminum, etc., areseparated, as long as these have been broken down, or rather exposed.Metallic components are separated in this instance, having a grainsize >1 mm. A metal-reduced fraction KFA high in plastics remains,which, as far as metals are concerned, then still includes high-gradesteel as well as metal components that were not broken down.

Alternatively, in process step VG2, one may also use a method forsensitive metal segregation MS1, based on the electric conductivity ofthe different metal parts (shown as a dotted line). An advantage ofsensitive metal segregation is that, besides the non-ferromagneticmetals, high-grade steel, lead as well as non-broken down metals areseparable, and are therefore able to be fed to separate metalconditioning. The sensitivity is adjustable, in this context, and withthat, so is the desired quality of the separated metal fraction. Settinga low sensitivity leads to a very clean metal fraction, while increasingthe sensitivity also increasingly brings with it the isolation of acable fraction. When the sensitive metal segregation is used, processstep VG1 may perhaps be omitted.

Fraction KFA that is high in plastics, which is obtained in process stepVG2, has a PVC component, which is frequently in the range of 4 to 8%.The grain size of the fraction is >5 mm, e.g., >10 mm. In next optionalprocess step VG3, the high chlorine PVC proportion, which alsofrequently has increased lead and cadmium values, is separated via itsabsorption capability of X-rays. This takes place in an X-ray separationsystem XR1. The low-chlorine plastics fraction thus obtained has achlorine content of 0.6 to 1%. Alternatively or also optionally, thehigh-chlorine PVC proportion may also come about already before processstep VG1 (segregation of ferromagnetic components FE). The PVCisolation, as a rule, takes place substantially in a downstream processstep of a wet density separation (VG11, cf. FIG. 4), which takes placein the case of smaller grain sizes, and will still be explained below.In process step VG4, there is a size reduction of this fraction to agrain size <8 mm, e.g., less than, or equal to 7 mm. As the method, onemay select a cutting size reduction ZA1, with the aid of cutting mills,by which a breaking down of the non-broken down metals in the rangeof >99% takes place. This process step is important, above all, when inprocess step VG2 an eddy current separation has been used, by which thenon-broken down metal composites are not separated. It is to be expectedthat method step VG4 may also take place in several stages. Thereduction in size may take place, for example, in two stages, in eachcase one intermediate buffering being possible. For instance, it ispossible to first to carry out a size reduction to a grain size lessthan, or equal to 14 mm, e.g., less than, or equal to 12 mm, andsubsequently (perhaps after intermediate buffering) to postconnect asecond size reduction to a grain size less than, or equal to 8 mm, e.g.,less than, or equal to 7 mm.

Method step VG4 is followed by an isolation VG5 of the plastic lightparticles and the wooden particles created by the breaking down, by airsifting WS1, and, for example, equipment WS1 is made to be controllable,so that wood particles are also able to be blown out. In this context,the residual moisture of the materials is measured, and the suctionspeed is regulated as a function of the residual moisture. In subsequentprocess step VG6, there is a separation of the remaining fraction intothree fractions of different grain size by a sifting SE3 having at leastthree sieve layers of a different size of hole. Metal-reduced fractionKF1 high in plastics, having a grain size in the range of about 0 mm toapproximately 1.5 mm, metal-reduced fraction KF2 high in plastics,having a grain size of approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 4 mm andmetal-reduced fraction KF3 high in plastics, having a grain size ofapproximately 4 mm to approximately 7 mm are obtained. Components thatare larger, are reverted to process step VG4 (repeated size reduction,reversion not represented in greater detail).

Fractions KF1 to KF3 that are metal-reduced and high in plastics, areconditioned as follows in different processes. If, by any chance, in thepreceding process sequence, process step VG5 of isolating the textileand wood particles is omitted, the method step of air sifting WS2 may beprovided in the three process sequences as process step VG7 (indicatedby dotted lines), To be sure, this has the result that the apparatusexpenditure is increased, since a plurality of devices has to beprovided for air sifting. In the process sequences for individualfractions KF1 to KF3, a separation of non-ferromagnetic metal parts(process step VG8) follows process step VG7, or process step VG6, if airsifting WS1 had already been carried out in process step VG5. Theseparation of the non-ferromagnetic metal parts takes place with the aidof density separation DT1 to DT3, and in a particular arrangement, acascade-shaped density separation, for example, a dual one, may beprovided, since always only one fraction is able to be separated in aclean manner.

After density separation DT1 of plastics fraction KF1, a ground plasticsmaterial KM is obtained which, together with the raw lint from the firstconditioning of the low-metal scrap KA high in plastics (FIG. 1, LF) isable to be fed to a utilization. Plastics ground material KM is alow-chlorine plastic having a chlorine proportion <1%. As the secondfraction, a non-ferromagnetic metal fraction NE is obtained, which, ifnecessary, is once more fed to a magnetic segregation, in order toisolate the residual ferromagnetic components. Thereafter,non-ferromagnetic metal fraction NE is made up to the greatest extent ofcopper.

After density separation DT2 of metal-reduced fraction KF2 high inplastics, a prerefined granulate fraction GF1 and a ferromagnetic metalfraction NE2 are obtained. After density separation DT3 in process stepVG8 of metal-reduced fraction KF3 high in plastics in the range of about4 mm to 7 mm, a non-ferromagnetic metal fraction NE3 and a prerefinedgranulate fraction GF2 are obtained. Granulate fraction GF2 togetherwith granulate fraction GF1 is fed to an additional conditioning (cf.detail process IV in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4), both granulate fractions GF1,GF2 being able to be fed to an intermediate storage (buffer P1) for thedecoupling of the additional process steps. Non-ferromagnetic metalfraction NE3 is conditioned together with non-ferromagnetic metalfraction NE2 (cf. detail process III in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

FIG. 3 describes detail process III of FIG. 2 in greater detail.Non-ferromagnetic metal fraction NE2 obtained after density separationDT2 receives predominantly copper, but also some aluminum, however,ferromagnetic fraction NE3 obtained after density separation DT3receives predominantly aluminum, but also some copper. The reason isthat, in preceding process step VG4 of cutting size reduction ZA1, oneis not able to cut the aluminum so well (it is rather pressed to formlarger, flat platelets) but one is able to cut copper quite well.Therefore, the copper is to be found predominantly in finer fractionNE2.

Before the separation of the non-ferromagnetic metal fractions intotheir components, these are first submitted to a magnetic separation MA3or MA3′ (for instance, a magnetic drum) in a process step VG90, with theaim of isolating possibly still present finest FE components (so-calledsmall section steel). In order to separate non-ferromagnetic metalfractions NE2 and NE3 into their components copper CU and aluminum AL itis provided first to feed metal fraction NE2 to a sifting SE4 in processstep VG91. The sieve hole sizes may amount, in this instance, to about0.9 mm, e.g., 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. This yields an almost pure copperfraction CU and an aluminum fraction AL. Aluminum fraction AL issubsequently fed to metal fraction NE3 (predominantly aluminum).Thereafter, the material steam thus obtained is fed in process step VG92to an optical sorting SO1, the optical sorter being set to the minorityfraction copper (=“red”), and separates it (blows it out). The highpurity copper separated in process steps VG91 and VG92 may be fedtogether to a metallurgical utilization. Similarly, the aluminumseparated in process step VG92 may be fed to a metallurgicalutilization.

An impact treatment may be inserted before the optical sorting (processstep VG92), so as to achieve the balling up of the copper strands. Thismakes possible a clear increase in efficiency of the optical sorting.

In FIG. 4 it is described how the prerefined granulate fractions GF1 andGF2 are processed further in common.

Thus, in process step VG10, there is a surface purification OR1 ofgranulate particles, to remove dust and operating fluids such as fatsand oils, which also have partially diffused into the plastics. Surfacepurification OR1 may take place both dry and wet, by the addition ofwater, by purifying the granulate fractions in a centrifuge, usingwater. If necessary, one may add non-foaming surface-active agents tothe water, depending on the degree of soiling. After that, in processstep VG11, a first wet density separation NT1 is carried out, in whichsplitting up of the substances takes place with respect to theirspecific density. A severance cut may be provided for this purpose,which is at approximately 1 to 1.5, e.g., at about 1.25. At thisseverance cut, the requirements of blast furnaces on the chlorinecontent are easily satisfied. However, depending on the requirements,other severance cuts are also possible. For the separation, for example,a separating fluid, may be added to the water which changes the densityof the water such that the so-called acceptable quality fraction, havinga reduced chlorine content, floats, and the PVC is separated as thesettling fraction. Before the separating container used, the granulatefraction is mixed with the separating fluid in a slurrying container (italso being possible to make a quantity-controlled feeding to theslurrying container so as to be able to regulate the solid content) andis fed in common to the separating container while maintaining laminarflow. For this it is possible to use a separating container havingdisks, which combines the advantages of laminar separation with thoseprovided in disk separation techniques of waste water treatment. Theseparating fluid is held to a temperature in order to avoid fluctuationsin the density. Magnesium sulphate MgSO₄ is used as the separatingfluid, for example. The proportion of water in the separating fluid(temperature dependent) is about 20 to 25%. In this connection, asplitting up takes place into a granulate fraction high in PVC(GF-PVC(+)) and one that is low in PVC (GF-PVC(−)). The rubberproportion of the granulate fraction high in PVC GF-PVC(+) still amountsto 30 to 40%, and in a process step VG14 this being fed to anelectrostatic isolation ET1, and the rubber proportion beingconsiderably reduced. The separated rubber proportion may be fed to autilization V, and the rest of the granulate fraction high in PVCGF-PVC(+) is fed to a waste disposal E, such as a landfill.Consequently, with respect to the granulate fraction high in PVCGF-PVC(+) as well, one is able to achieve a reduction in the wastedisposal quantity and an increase in the utilization quantity.

The granulate fraction low in PVC GF-PVC(−) obtained in process stepVG11 is submitted in a subsequent process step VG12 to a second wetdensity separation NT2 using water, e.g., in order to separatepolyolefins (e.g., PS, PE, PP, ABS, PA) from this granulate fraction. Inthis regard, a severance cut with respect to the specific density ofabout 0.8 to 1.2, e.g., 1.0, may be provided, although in this case,too, other values are possible, depending on the requirement. In wetdensity separation NT2, a granulate fraction high in PVC (GF-PVC(+)) andone that is low in PVC (GF-PVC(−)) are created. The granulate fractionhigh in polyolefin (GF-PO(+)) obtained is made up substantially of PEand PP, and has a rubber proportion of <2%, which in method step VG13,at least to a great extent, is also removed or reduced by electrostaticisolation ET2. One obtains a refined granulate fraction GF_(refined),which is able to be fed to a (working material) utilization V having ahigh quality requirement. Refined granulate fraction GF_(refined), ifnecessary, may be fed to an additional size reduction (regrinding), ifpostconnected utilization processes require it. Granulate fractionGF-PO(−) that is low in polyolefin, is also fed to a utilization V.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   B1, B2 feed container-   DT1-DT3 density separation-   E waste disposal-   ET1, ET2 electrostatic isolation-   FE ferromagnetic components-   GF1, GF2 granulate fraction-   GF-PVC(+) granulate fraction high in PVC-   GF-PVC(−) granulate fraction low in PVC-   GF-PO(+) granulate fraction high in polyolefin-   GF-PO(−) granulate fraction low in polyolefin-   GF_(refined) refined granulate fraction-   HM hammer mill-   KA low-metal scrap high in plastics-   KF metal-reduced fraction high in plastics-   KFA metal-reduced fraction high in plastics-   KF1 to KF3 metal-reduced fractions high in plastics-   KM plastic ground material-   LF light fraction (raw lint)-   MA1, MA2, MA3, magnetic separator-   MA3′-   MS1 sensitive metal segregation-   NE1 device for segregating non-ferromagnetic metal parts-   NE, NE2, NE3 non-ferromagnetic metal parts-   NES high-grade steel components-   NT1, NT2 wet density separation-   OR1 surface purification-   PVC settling fraction-   P1 buffer,-   RS1 first raw sand fraction-   RS2 second raw sand fraction-   SE1 first sifting device-   SE2 sifting device-   SE3 sifting device-   SE4 sifting device-   SF heavy fraction (raw granulate)-   SG heavy material-   SLF light shredder fraction-   SO1′ optical sorting-   SSF heavy shredder fraction-   ST device for isolating heavy material-   V utilization-   V1 to V7 process steps for conditioning low-metal plastic scrap-   VG1 to VG13 process steps for conditioning raw granulate SF-   WA1 eddy current separation-   WS air sifting-   WS1, WS2 air sifting-   XR0, XR1 X-ray separation-   ZA1 cutting size reduction-   III detail process-   IV detail process

1. A method for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics obtainedin a conditioning of low-metal material mixtures high in plastics,comprising: isolating metal parts from the heavy fraction high inplastics to obtain a metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics;reducing a size of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plasticsthat remains after the isolation of the metal parts; separating themetal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics that remains after theisolation of the metal parts, into fractions high in plastics havingdifferent grain sizes; and conditioning the separated fractions high inplastics at least partially in separate processes.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the conditioning of the separatedfractions high in plastics is at least partially performed in similarseparate process steps.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein thefraction high in plastics is separated in the separating into a firstfraction high in plastics having a grain size of at least one of (a) 0to 1.7 mm and (b) 0 to 1.5 mm, a second fraction high in plastics havinga grain size of at least one of (a) 1.3 mm to 4.2 mm and (b) 1.5 mm to4.0 mm, and a third fraction high in plastics having a grain size of atleast one of (a) 3.8 mm to 7.2 mm and (b) 4.0 to 7.0 mm.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the heavy fraction high in plastics onaverage has a bulk material weight of at least one of (a) greater than0.2 t/m³ and (b) greater than 0.4 t/m³.
 5. The method according to claim1, wherein the isolating of the metal parts includes (a) isolatingferromagnetic components and (b) isolating non-ferromagnetic metalparts.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the isolating ofnon-ferromagnetic metal parts includes at least one of (a) eddy currentseparation and (b) sensitive metal segregation based on electricalconductivity of the metal parts.
 7. The method according to claim 1,further comprising, after the isolating of metal parts, at least one of(a) separating PVC high in chlorine and (b) separating PVC high inchlorine via different absorption capability of X-rays.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the reduction in size is performed at agrain size of less than or equal to 7 mm.
 9. The method according toclaim 8, wherein the reduction in size is performed such that a breakingdown takes place of the metals not broken down of at least one of (a)greater than 95% and (b) greater than 99%.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising, after the reduction in size, separating atleast one of (a) raw lint, (b) raw lint having an average bulk materialweight of less than 0.3 t/m³, (c) raw lint having an average bulkmaterial weight of less than 0.2 t/m³, and (d) wood particles.
 11. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the separating includes at leastone of (a) sifting and (b) sifting using at least three sieve layers ofdifferent hole sizes.
 12. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising submitting, independently of one another, the fractions highin plastics to a separation of at least one of (a) raw lint, (b) rawlint having an average bulk material weight of less than 0.3 t/m³, (c)raw lint having an average bulk material weight of less than 0.2 t/m³,and (d) wood particles.
 13. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising submitting a fraction high in plastics having a grain size ofat least one of (a) 0 to 1.7 mm and (b) 0 to 1.5 to a density separationto produce, as an end product, a non-ferromagnetic metal fraction and aplastics ground material.
 14. The method according to claim 13, whereinthe plastics ground material includes a low-chlorine plastic having achlorine proportion of less than 1%.
 15. The method according to claim1, further comprising submitting a fraction high in plastics having agrain size of at least one of (a) 1.3 mm to 4.2 mm and (b) 1.5 to 4.0 mmto a density separation to produce, as an intermediate product, aprerefined granulate fraction and a non-ferromagnetic metal.
 16. Themethod according to claim 15, further comprising feeding thenon-ferromagnetic metal fraction to a detail process, in which at leasta part of the metal fraction is submitted to at least one of (a) afurther sorting process and (b) an optical sorting process.
 17. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising submitting fraction highin plastics having a grain size of at least one of (a) 3.8 mm to 7.2 mmand (b) 4.0 to 7.0 mm to a density separation to produce, as anintermediate product, a prerefined granulate fraction and anon-ferromagnetic metal fraction.
 18. The method according to claim 17,further comprising feeding the non-ferromagnetic metal fraction to adetail process, in which at least a part of the metal fraction issubmitted to at least one of (a) a further sorting process, (b) anoptical sorting process, and (c) an optical sorting process performed incommon with a partial flow of another non-ferromagnetic metal fraction.19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising feeding, beforethe sorting process, the other non-ferromagnetic metal fraction to atleast one of (a) a sifting process and (b) a sifting process performedby a sifting device having a hole diameter of at least one of (i) 0.9 mmto 3 mm and (ii) 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
 20. The method according to claim 18,further comprising feeding the non-ferromagnetic metal fractions to atleast one of (a) an isolation of ferromagnetic components and (b) amagnetic separator.
 21. The method according to claim 15, furthercomprising feeding the prerefined granulate fraction and anotherprerefined granulate fraction to a detail process, in which theprerefined granulate fractions are submitted to a surface purificationfor removal of at least one of (a) dust, (b) operating fluids, (c) fats,and (d) oils.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the surfacepurification is performed using water in a centrifuge.
 23. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising at least one of (a) separatingand (b) separating by wet density separation the granulate fraction intoa granulate fraction high in PVC and a granulate fraction low in PVC.24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising at least one of(a) separating and (b) separating by wet density separation thegranulate fraction low in PVC into a granulate fraction high inpolyolefin and a granulate fraction low in polyolefin.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 24, further comprising at least one of (a) isolatingand (b) isolating by electrostatic isolation rubber from the granulatefraction high in polyolefin.
 26. The method according to claim 24,further comprising at least one of (a) isolating and (b) isolating byelectrostatic isolation rubber from the granulate fraction high in PVC.27. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material mixture highin plastics includes shredder residues of metal-containing scrap. 28.The method according to claim 1, wherein the material mixture high inplastics includes at least one of (a) low-metal scrap high in plasticsproduced at least partially in vehicle shredder processes, (b) a lightshredder fraction, and (c) a heavy shredder fraction.
 29. A system forconditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics obtained in conditioningof low-metal material mixtures high in plastics, comprising: anisolation device adapted to isolate metal parts from the heavy fractionhigh in plastics; a reduction device adapted to reduce a size of themetal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics that remains afterisolation of the metal parts by the isolation device; a first separationdevice adapted to separate the metal-reduced heavy fraction high inplastics that remains after the isolation of the metal parts by theisolation device, into fractions high in plastics having different grainsizes; and a conditioning device adapted to condition the separatedfractions high in plastics at least partially in separate processes. 30.The system according to claim 29, further comprising a second separationdevice adapted to separate the fractions high in plastics into a firstfraction high in plastics having a grain size of at least one of (a) 0to 1.7 mm and (b) 0 to 1.5 mm, a second fraction high in plastics havinga grain size of at least one of (a) 1.3 mm to 4.2 mm and (b) 1.5 mm to4.0 mm, and a third fraction high in plastics having a grain size of atleast one of (a) 3.8 mm to 7.2 mm and (b) 4.0 to 7.0 mm.
 31. The systemaccording to claim 29, wherein the heavy fraction high in plastics onaverage has a bulk material weight of at least one of (a) greater than0.2 t/m³ and (b) greater than 0.4 t/m³.
 32. The system according toclaim 29, further comprising at least one of (a) a second separationdevice, (b) a magnetic separator, (c) a magnetic drum, and (d) anoverband magnetic device adapted to adapted to isolate ferromagneticcomponents.
 33. The system according to claim 32, further comprising atleast one of (a) a third separation device, (b) an eddy currentseparation device, and (c) a device for sensitive metal isolation basedon electrical conductivity of metal parts adapted to separatenon-ferromagnetic metal parts, the at least one of (a) the thirdseparation device, (b) the eddy current separation device, and (c) thedevice for sensitive metal isolation arranged downstream of the at leastone of (a) the second separation device, (b) the magnetic separator, (c)the magnetic drum, and (d) the overband magnetic device.
 34. The systemaccording to claim 29, further comprising at least one of (a) a secondseparation device and (b) an X-ray separation device adapted to separatePVC high in chlorine, the at least one of (a) the second separationdevice and (b) the X-ray separation device arranged downstream from theisolation device.
 35. The system according to claim 29, wherein thereduction device is adapted to break down non-broken down metals to anextent of at least one of (a) greater than 95% and (b) greater than 99%.36. The system according to claim 29, wherein the reduction device isadapted to reduce the size of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high inplastics at a grain size of at least one of (a) less than or equal to 8mm and (b) less than or equal to 7 mm.
 37. The system according to claim29, further comprising, downstream of the reduction device, a secondseparation device adapted to separate at least one of (a) raw lint, (b)raw lint having an average bulk material weight of less than 0.3 t/m³,(c) raw lint having a bulk material weight of less than 0.2 t/m³, (c)wood particles.
 38. The system according to claim 37, wherein the secondseparation device includes an air sifting device.
 39. The systemaccording to claim 30, wherein the second separating device includes asifting device having at least three sieve layers of different holesizes.
 40. The system according to claim 30, further comprising,downstream of the second separation device, a third separation deviceadapted to separate at least one of (a) raw lint, (b) raw lint having anaverage bulk material weight of less than 0.2 t/m³, and (c) woodparticles from the fractions high in plastics.
 41. The system accordingto claim 30, further comprising, downstream of the second separationdevice, a density separation device adapted for density separation ofthe first fraction high in plastics to obtain a ground plastics materialand a non-ferromagnetic metal fraction.
 42. The system according toclaim 30, further comprising, downstream of the second separationdevice, a density separation device adapted for density separation ofthe second fraction high in plastics to obtain a granulate fraction anda non-ferromagnetic metal fraction.
 43. The system according to claim41, further comprising at least one of (a) a sorting device and (b) anoptical sorting device adapted to process at least a portion of thenon-ferromagnetic metal fraction.
 44. The system according to claim 42,further comprising at least one of (a) a sorting device and (b) anoptical sorting device adapted to process at least a portion of thenon-ferromagnetic metal fraction.
 45. The system according to claim 43,further comprising a sifting device adapted to at least one of (a) siftthe non-ferromagnetic metal fraction, (b) sift the non-ferromagneticmetal fraction at a hole diameter of 0.9 mm to 3.0 mm, and (c) sift thenon-ferromagnetic metal fraction at a hole diameter of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.46. The system according to claim 44, further comprising a siftingdevice adapted to at least one of (a) sift the non-ferromagnetic metalfraction, (b) sift the non-ferromagnetic metal fraction at a holediameter of 0.9 mm to 3.0 mm, and (c) sift the non-ferromagnetic metalfraction at a hole diameter of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
 47. The systemaccording to claim 42, further comprising a surface purification deviceadapted for surface purification of the granulate fraction from at leastone of (a) dust, (b) operating fluid, (c) fats, and (d) and oils. 48.The system according to claim 47, further comprising a first wet densityseparation device downstream of the surface purification device adaptedto separate the granulate fraction into a granulate fraction high in PVCand a granulate fraction low in PVC.
 49. The system according to claim48, further comprising a second wet density separation device downstreamof the first wet density separation device adapted to separate thegranulate fraction low in PVC into a granulate fraction high inpolyolefin and a granulate fraction low in polyolefin.
 50. The systemaccording to claim 48, further comprising at least one of (a) a rubberisolation device adapted to isolate rubber and (b) an electrostaticisolation device adapted to isolate rubber downstream of the first wetdensity separation device.
 51. The system according to claim 49, furthercomprising at least one of (a) a rubber isolation device adapted toisolate rubber and (b) an electrostatic isolation device adapted toisolate rubber downstream of at least one of (a) the first wet densityseparation device and (b) the second wet density separation device.